Working At The Pyramids

Since I heard the seductive song "Pyramids" by Frank Ocean, i've been anticipating the release of the video. I know i'm not alone in saying that I wanted to see some sexy footage of Frank Ocean with (insert model here). Anyone really. Girl, boy, it didn't matter to me. I was looking to see something sultry and well...just downright tantalizing.

A Still Capture from "Pyramids"

Now, all that aside, the aesthetic of the video itself is alluring. I'd even go as far as saying that it's hypnotizing. Frank's production team always manages to entice the viewer by playing with trippy special effects and artfully incorporating slow motion.

See for yourself here, is it what you were expecting?

My Indulgence

His name is Conor Maynard.
Already, the name underwhelms.

He doesn't have the best looks (although production tries), and he has a really awkward stage presence.
So that's a lot to look past, but here's why I bother with him-

This kid can sing.
He can sing well enough to make up for the looks and dancing on the 1/3 beat when it should really be 2/4, and thats saying something.
He's already taken girls hearts by the millions in the UK.

If you've been missing some J-Timbs and you're just plain tired of the Biebs look no further. Conor Maynard is like a hybrid mix of The Weekend, Frank Ocean, Usher, and Justin Timberlake all rolled into this package:

Yep, this guy here.

He got his start in what seems to be the standard way now, off youtube, where he tackles songs like Drake's Marvin's Room, Crew Love, and Nicki Minaj's Starships.  You have to be in the mood to bring it down slow with these ones. I missed the youtube phase and was brought up to speed thanks to the iTunes Music Festival.


Frank Ocean has written a song for him called Pictures, and Midi-Mafia produced it.

Everyone listed wants to work with him:
Jermaine Dupri (Usher, Mariah Carey), Kevin Rudolf (Jay Sean, Lil’ Wayne), Sandy Vee (Rihanna, Pitbull), Crada (Drake, Kid Cudi), and songwriter Diane Warren, British production trio The Invisible Men (Jessie J, DJ Fresh) 
So by all means, give him a chance.

His debut album Contrast has only been released in the UK, but can be pre-ordered now.

It will be available October 16th, but if you want to listen to a few songs beforehand, I suggest Turn Around  which is more up-beat and has a Chris Brown feel to it.

While you're at it, you should try this too.

Follow him on Twitter
Give him the thumbs up on Facebook 

He absolutely kills it.